The 7 Series Sedan is the seventh model by the BMW Group to be fitted with Hankook tyres including MINI, the BMW 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Series as well as the X5. This marks another important milestone in Hankook’s global expansion in to the premium automotive segment as it is the first time the tyre Maker is supplying both summer and winter tyres to the BMW Group as original equipment. “We are proud to be supplying not only our UHP flagship tyre to the new 7 Series, but for the first time have also been chosen as the winter tyre original equipment supplier with our advanced runflat technology within this prestigious segment”, says Ho-Youl Pae, Head of Hankook Tire Europe.

During the intensive trial phase the tyres have proven to provide a high level of driving comfort whilst maintaining distinctively dynamic driving characteristics. The tyres had to meet the highest of demands in relation to dry handling performance, rolling resistance whilst providing low interior and exterior noise. “Excellent driving and comfort features had to be combined with exceptional wet and snow performance. This not only required the development of a special tread compound but also finding a fundamentally new balance between compound, tread design and construction”, explains Klaus Krause, Head of the Hanover-based European Technology Centre (ETC) at Hankook Tire, where the tyre development for the BMW Group in Europe takes place. “Winter tyre development is even more demanding, particularly for the high development objectives of reduced noise as winter tyres by nature have more block edges which generally lead to increased noise levels.”

Hankook’s ultra-high performance snow tyre Winter i*cept evo in size 245/50 R *RSC has been designed to provide superior performance especially in central and western European winter conditions by optimising wet, dry and snow performance. The tyre’s inside-to-outside asymmetric groove tread delivers a high level of stylish perfection with an enhanced pitch design that guarantees the optimal driving experience which was recently also awarded with the internationally renowned Red Dot Design Award.

At present roughly 50 engineers and technicians are developing bespoke tyre solutions for European car manufacturers at Hankook’s European Technical Center in Hanover, Germany. This is also where Hankook’s original equipment BMW Group tyres are developed and tested, with production taking place at the European plant in Ráclamás, Hungary. The company’s state-of-the-art factory specialises in the production of passenger car tyres for the European market and ranks among the most modern production facilities in the world.